Today, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb will be in Plymouth to kick off a major enhancement project impacting firefighter training in Indiana. The event will be held at the Plymouth Fire Department Training Tower off Jim Neu Drive behind the county jail.
The Plymouth Fire Department training tower was dedicated in November 2015 by former Fire Chief Rod Miller as the Wayne A. Smith Training Center. Current Fire Chief Steve Holm wanted everyone who trains at the facility to know about the facility’s dedication to former Chief Smith with the placement of a sign. On Wednesday evening, the Plymouth Fire Department and volunteers took time before a training exercise to unveil the new sign with former Fire Chief Wayne Smith in attendance.
Firefighter Art Jacobs spoke during the dedication and said, “Through your dedication, service to our department our community, and actually the fire service across the United States you were involved in so much.” He went on to say, “There is a saying about the best thing old firefighters can do is make young firefighters old firefighters by making them survive through training.” Jacobs said, “Your dedication to our safety is heartfelt and appreciated and it is only fitting that this training tower be named after you.”
Those attending the governor’s kick-off event today will be the first to see the new sign.
Officials from the City of Plymouth, the Plymouth Fire Department, area fire departments, the State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Professional Firefighters Union of Indiana, the Indiana Volunteer Firefighter’s Association, and the Indiana Fire Chief’s Association will be in attendance. Plymouth High School students currently enrolled in the Fire & Rescue course through the North Central Career and Technical Education (CTE) program will take a field trip to attend the special announcement.
